Saudi royal family split by Crown Prince appointment

The tightly managed Saudi royal family has been split by the decision to
appoint a hardline conservative as Crown Prince, with a senior prince
resigning from its innermost council.

Prince Talal bin Abdul Aziz, the most liberal of the country's senior royals and father of one of the world's richest men, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, posted a statement on his website saying he was quitting the Allegiance CouncilPhoto: AFP

Prince Talal bin Abdul Aziz, the most liberal of the country's senior royals and father of one of the world's richest men, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, posted a statement on his website saying he was quitting the Allegiance Council.

The council was established by King Abdullah on his accession to the throne six years ago to control the succession. Since the death of the modern kingdom's founder King Abdulaziz, all subsequent monarchs have been one or other of his 37 sons.

King Abdullah's reformist agenda, prior to this year and the Arab Spring, had led to speculation that he would open discussions on succession to the next generation of princes. He is in his mid- to late-80s, while his previous heir apparent, Crown Prince Sultan, was 82 when he died last month.

The appointment almost immediately of Prince Nayef, 76, as his replacement was a disappointment to liberals, in particular because he has been at the forefront of those arguing against extending the franchise and women's rights.

It was no secret that Prince Talal was unhappy about the likely promotion of his half-brother, but it is likely that his resignation is as much about the failure to hold a wide-ranging debate in the Allegiance Council as the decision itself. "After informing King Abdullah, Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz announced his resignation from the Allegiance Council," is all his note said.

But after Prince Nayef was made second deputy prime minister – a stepping stone to his new position – two years ago he gave a rare interview to the Financial Times in which he made his displeasure known. "We are protesting against the principle, not the person," he said. "The council nominates and elects the crown prince. Bypassing the allegiance system would mean we do not respect our own rules or uphold our system."